Hammock and spreading rod

ABSTRACT

A fabric for outdoor furniture is formed from synthetic material with a stretch characteristic of 5% to 50%. The fabric may have differential stretch characteristics in a first direction and greater stretch characteristics in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The fabric is preferably warp knitted and used in the manufacture of a hammock or hammock chair. A hammock may have a lesser stretch characteristic along its length and a greater stretch characteristic transverse and preferably includes a plurality of ventilation apertures. Indicia may be printed on the surface of the fabric when used in a hammock or hammock chair and may indicate ownership, club loyalties, personalized visual signs or other special interests. A flexible spreading rod for use in a hammock is preferably located in a sleeve at either end of the hammock or may be supported directly by a hammock stand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a material for use in furniture, particularlyoutdoor furniture. More specifically, the invention extends to materialfor use in hammocks and hammock chairs and includes those items whenmade from the material. The invention also extends to a method ofdecorating a hammock or hammock chair by a printing process,particularly when used for promotional indicia. The invention alsoextends to a flexible or semi-rigid spreading rod for use in a hammockand a hammock incorporating the spreading rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hammocks have been in use for hundreds of years. It is generallyaccepted that the hammock originated in Central America approximately1,000 years ago and was created by the Mayan Indians. The earliesthammocks were produced by weaving the bark of trees.

As a result of pre-existing trade roots, the hammock found its waythroughout Central and South America. The original web-like hammock alsoeventually gave rise to a cloth or fabric hammock.

Hammocks were introduced to Europe by Colombus. They then became adoptedby seafarers, particularly of Britain, and France. The Europeansgenerally relied on canvas cloth for their hammocks and this means ofbedding was used by the British Navy for three centuries.

Hammocks were introduced into the British prison system during the 1800sand were usually supported by looped ring ends which were hung over twospaced hooks for use. They were then removed or either simply hung offone hook for storage when not in use.

The hammock has become an established means of comfortable supporteither for resting or for use as a bed. It is estimated that over100,000,000 people use hammocks as beds or furniture everyday and thesepeople are distributed throughout Africa, China, Philippines, SouthPacific, Central and South America, North America and Europe.

Most hammocks are today made from hemp or cotton. The use of cotton inhammocks is a relatively new event in the history of the item and beganonly in the last 50 to 60 years. A problem that arises, particularlywith cotton, is that when used outdoors, the material tends to absorbmoisture, either from sweat or the atmosphere, and begin to rotrelatively quickly.

Synthetic materials, such as nylon and polyester, have been tried,particularly in outdoor hammocks, as they do not absorb moisture and arehighly resistant to rot. The major problem with these items is that theytend to lack a significant comfort level because they do not absorbsweat, they feel clammy and as they have no or little natural “give”,they tend to be regarded as too hard by users.

Hammocks are generally woven from cotton, nylon and polyester. The wovencotton hammocks have a small degree of stretch capabilities because ofthe inbuilt stretch characteristics of cotton yarn. Nylon and polyesteryarn do not stretch and therefore woven hammocks made from thesematerials are very rigid and uncomfortable. Cotton absorbs moisture,nylon and polyester do not, and are therefore “sweaty” in use.

The ability to stretch according to body pressure is an important factorin hammocks. Individual cotton fibres stretch, not only in the materialof the hammock bed, but also in the supporting cords. The combinedstretch factor of the bed and the cords give the cotton hammock itscomfort level, which is regarded by many as superior. Syntheticmaterials, as conventionally used, do not stretch and hammocks made fromthese types of substances are traditionally regarded as not verycomfortable.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should notbe taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this priorart forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise,the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”,will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integeror group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any otherelement or integer or group of elements or integers.

In a first aspect, the invention resides in a fabric for use infurniture, particularly outdoor furniture, the fabric formed, at leastin part, from a synthetic material wherein the synthetic material iswoven or knitted to provide a stretch characteristic of from 5% to 50%.

Preferably, the synthetic material is warp knitted. The fabric may havean interlocking weave pattern adapted to provide the preferred stretchcharacteristics.

The synthetic material may comprise one or more of nylon, polyester,polypropylene, polyethylene or a suitable polyolefin material. Thesynthetic material may comprise a blend which includes a component of anatural material such as cotton. The cotton may be present at up to 50%of the blend.

Most preferably, the fabric has a first stretch characteristic in afirst direction and a second greater stretch characteristic in a seconddirection which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

The stretch characteristic in the first direction may be any suitablepercentage but is preferably 10% or less.

The stretch characteristic in the second direction may be any suitablepercentage greater than that of the first direction but is preferablyfrom 10% to 50%. Most preferably, it is from 20% to 40%.

In a preferred embodiment, the fabric has a plurality of ventilationholes. The ventilation holes may be distributed in any pattern but arepreferably distributed in a regular pattern. The ventilation holes maybe present in sufficient number to provide a ratio of material/holes of80%/20% or 70%/30%.

The ventilation holes may vary from 2 mm to 50 mm in diameter whenformed as circles. Preferably, they are formed around 5 mm in diameter.They may be formed in any suitable shape. One preferred shape isslit-like or ellipsoidal.

In a further aspect, the invention resides in a hammock or hammock chaircomprising fabric of the present invention. Preferably, the fabric isarranged to have its first direction with lesser stretch characteristicsaligned, in use, along the head to tail axis of a user and its seconddirection with greater stretch characteristics aligned transverse to thehead to tail axis of a user. The invention may reside in a hammockformed of material of the present invention, the fabric having its firstdirection of a lesser stretch characteristic aligned along the length ofthe hammock and its second direction of a greater stretch characteristicaligned across the width of the hammock.

The fabric may be printed with visible indicia The indicia may includetext and/or graphic elements. The indicia may be adapted to identifyownership of the hammock or hammock chair, or advertise products and/orservices. The indicia may be personalised for an owner. The indicia maybe used in promotional activities, club membership identification andloyalty promotions.

In a further aspect, the invention may reside in a spreading rod for ahammock or hammock chair wherein the spreading rod is formed as aflexible or semi-rigid elongate member. The elongate member ispreferably adapted to deform under ordinary loads experienced in ahammock or hammock chair and to an extent compatible with comfortableuse of the hammock or hammock chair while assuming its undeformedconfiguration when not under load.

The spreading rod may have a plurality of apertures dimensioned toreceive supporting cords. Alternatively, the spreading rod may be formedintegrally with or supported directly by a frame support of a hammock orhammock chair. The flexible elongate member may be formed from one ormore of plastic, rubber, spring steel or other suitable material.

The flexible member may be formed from wood with cuts in one sidepositioned to allow flexion under load with the elongate memberretaining adequate strength to support a person or persons in a hammockor hammock chair. The elongate member may be formed from a polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastic tube, preferably with a diameter of from 10 mm to30 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a piece of fabric of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the fabric of FIG. 1 with its longitudinal stretchcharacteristic highlighted;

FIG. 3 shows the fabric of FIG. 1 with its transverse stretchcharacteristic highlighted;

FIG. 4 shows a top and side view version of one embodiment of a warpknitted fabric;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hammock formed according to thepresent invention and including printed indicia;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hamnock and support stand including aspreading rod of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of FIG. 6 when under load;

FIG. 8 shows a part-sectional-perspective view of a spreading rod,support cords and hammock end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a section of fabric 10 which isproduced from a synthetic material or synthetic/natural fibrecombination. The synthetic material is preferably fibres of polyester,polypropylene or polyethylene. Other synthetic materials may be suitablefor the present application and a suitable polyolefin polymer materialmay be utilised. A blend of cotton and a synthetic material as is knownto people of skill in the art may also be utilised. The material ispreferably knitted or woven with an interlocking weave pattern whichallows for a stretch characteristic to be built into the fabric. In thepresent invention, a stretch characteristic represents the ability ofthe material to stretch under load and a percentage indicationrepresents the percentage of increase provided at maximum stretch. Thefabric comprises material 12 with apertures 13 formed and spreadthroughout. The apertures may be formed in any suitable shape,preferably compatible with usual manufacturing processes. In the presentexample, the apertures or ventilation holes are shown as spacedellipsoidal holes. The shape of the apertures themselves may providesome degree of differential stretch. The degree of extension of theholes in the direction of arrow 14 is less than that available in thedirection of the arrow 15. Along lines of force including the apertures13, the degree of stretchability or stretch characteristics willtherefore vary. The apertures in their own right may be used to providedifferential or varying stretch characteristics in different directions.

In FIG. 2, the material 10 is shown with the stretch characteristicshighlighted by arrows 16, 18 in a first direction up or along the longaxis of the fabric 10. The ability to insert stretch characteristics isknown in the knitting and weaving industry. Warp knitting is arelatively recent technique which allows the variability to be spreaduniformly or, as shown in FIG. 2, provided in bands 19, 20, 21 whileother bands 22, 23 remain somewhat bunched but also extend as requiredto provide suitable stretchability.

FIG. 3 shows the fabric 10 when stretched in a second direction which issubstantially transverse to the direction of FIG. 2. The stretchcharacteristic in this direction are more pronounced giving adifferential characteristic between the first direction 16, 18 of FIG. 2and second direction 25, 26 of FIG. 3.

The difference between the stretch characteristics may be altered assuitable for individual purpose. The weave pattern and stretchcharacteristics may vary dependent on the hammock application. Generallyspeaking, it is preferred to have a hammock, for example, with a minimumstretch at no more than 10% length ways but with 10% to 50% stretch inthe second direction or width. The interlocking weave pattern can bevaried, as known in the weaving and knitting art, to suit differenthammock applications.

The fabric comprises an interlocking knitted construction pattern usedto modify the stretch characteristics. The ventilation holes may beknitted into the fabric at regular intervals to facilitate breathing ofthe fabric and also allow cooling circulation of air to flow through thematerial in use.

Warp knitting has developed a reinforcement technique in which the keyreinforcements are locked in with a skeleton of knit fibres which can beoriented in longitudinal and/or transverse directions. Warp knittingrepresents the fastest method of producing fabric from yarns. It differsfrom weft knitting in that each needle loops its own thread. The needlesproduce parallel rows of loops simultaneously that are interlocked in azig zag pattern. The fabric is produced in sheet or flat form using oneor more sets of warp yarn. The yarns are fed from warp beams to a row ofneedles extending across the width of the knitting machine. Two commontypes of warp knitting machines are the Tricot and Raschel machines.Raschel machines are useful because they can process all yarn types inall forms (filament, staple, combed, carded and others). Warp knittingmay sometimes be referred to as warp weaving.

While warp knitting is a preferred method for producing the material,any other method known to a person skilled in material manufacture mayalso be recruited for the purpose.

Weft knitting, on the other hand, uses one continuous yarn to formcourses or rows of loops across a fabric. There are three fundamentalstitches in weft knitting: plain-knit, purl and rib. On a knittingmachine, the individual yarn is fed one or more needles at a time.

In FIG. 4, an example of warp knitting is shown. This is by way ofexample only and should not be regarded as providing a limiting exampleor even an appropriate or applicable example for the fabric of thepresent invention. The shown pattern represents a multi-axial, multi-plyfabric demonstrating two diagonal yarn sets 28, 29 overlaid on twobiaxial yam sets 30, 31 locked together by looping yarn 32.

Furniture incorporating the fabric of the present invention can beprovided with desired or preferred stretch characteristics as required.FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of use of the fabric of the presentinvention in the form of a hammock 35 supported between two trees 36,37. Support cords 38, 39 are tethered to the trees 36, 37 and run out toa spreading bar or rod 40, 41 respectively, which are located incorresponding sleeves 42, 43. The sleeves are continuous with the bodyof the hammock 44 which is formed with a plurality of ventilation holes45 evenly spread over the surface of the body 44. The hammock hasstretch characteristics along its length of up to 10% but transversestretch characteristics of between 10% and 50%. The material could havea minimum proportion of around 70% solid material and 30% ventilationholes. Preferably, the ratio of solid material to holes is around 80% to20%. The holes may be uniform in size or may be varied in size and shapethroughout the body 44.

The hole size and shape may be a factor in the stretch characteristicsof the material. The hole size and shape may be aligned so the bedmaterial has limited stretch in the first direction and pronouncedstretch in a transverse direction. The holes in the fabric open andclose dependent on body pressure applied at the spot or region of aparticular hole. By making the hole oval, rectangular or an elongateddiamond shape, the stretch factor may be controlled in either direction.Preferably, the longer axis of the hole is parallel to the length of thehammock and the shorter axis parallel with the width of the hammock togive the hammock a stretch factor of different characteristics in thedifferent direction.

The hammock 35 has a visible graphic device 48 which, in this case, is alow sun and island scene. Synthetic materials are better able to receiveprinted application. Cotton fails to hold printing which tends to runand fade dramatically, particularly in sunlight. On a synthetic surface,simple and well known printing techniques may be used to provide a wholerange of visible scenes. In one form, the scenes may be provided asuniform and colourful indicators of ownership such as the name of ahotel chain, the trade mark of a manufacturer or colour coordinatedrenditions to provide an attractive scene on, for example, a beach. Aparticular club or other group of like-minded people may obtain hammockswhich indicate their club loyalty such as, for example, to a sportingclub, a travel or adventure club. Appropriately decorated hammocks maybe used as promotional material for upcoming events or provided to, forexample, attendees at a conference or similar. Printed representationsof favoured celebrities such as actors or pop personalities may berendered onto the surface of the hammock therefore providing additionalappeal and idiosyncratic effect to a person's hammock. In oneembodiment, hammocks may be personalised by printing specifically for anindividual consumer with, for example, their name, photograph of theirpet, or a preferred scene from a book or Internet source. For eachpurpose, the indicia may be regarded as relevant indicia.

FIG. 6 shows a representation of a hammock 50 and support frame 51. Thehammock has a body 52 and support cords 53, 54.

The support cords 53 run onto a spreading rod or bar 55, 56,respectively. Opposite ends of the support cords 53, 54 are supported onuprights 57, 58 of the support frame 51. The uprights run into a commonhorizontal member 59 which, in turn, is supported by feet 60, 61. Inthis view, the spreading rods 55, 56 are substantially straight andundeformed.

A view of the same arrangement as FIG. 6 is seen in FIG. 7 under loadfrom an occupant 62. The spreading rods 55, 56 are adapted to deform, asshown, under load. By using a non-rigid spreading bar, the hammock bedis allowed to flex at the point of most pressure achieving a morecomfortable hammock while still opening up the hammock bed. Thespreading of the load also avoids wear points which become noticeablewith rigid horizontal spreading rods with holes drilled at spacedintervals to receive cords. The purpose of the spreading rod is tospread the hammock fabric so it does not collapse during use. Rigid rodsdo not bend because the load bearing is taken by the supporting cordswhich are threaded through the rigid rod spreader directly to thehammock fabric.

The spreading rods of the present invention are located in a sleevewhich is load bearing thereby spreading the weight from the fabricpocket to the supporting cords. The flexible or semi-rigid spreading rodmay be made from any suitable material such as plastic, rubber, springsteel or other flexible material. A timber rod may be used withflexibility introduced by a series of cuts made along one edge tofacilitate bending away from and opening up of the cuts.

In one embodiment, a polyvinyl chloride plastic tube of 10 mm to 30 mmdiameter may be used. Drill holes may be positioned at spaced intervalsalong the length of the tube which is preferably of 0.5 m to 1.5 mlength. Supporting cords may be passed through the holes of the tube andtied off in a knot large enough to avoid withdrawal through the hole. Ifthe PVC tube is not suitably flexible, shallow cuts may be located alongthe length of the tube sufficient to improve the flexibility whilemaintaining adequate strength to support the hammock and occupant. Allsupporting cords are preferably cut to a similar length.

A closer view is seen in FIG. 7 where the cords 70, 71, 72 are allpassed through respective holes, one of which is shown in outline 73.The cords are fixed in place by knot 74 which is large enough to lodgeagainst the aperture 73 and resist withdrawal. The rod 75 is located inits own sleeve 76 which is formed from one end 77 of the fabric. Inoperation, load is applied to the fabric which in turn is transmittedthrough the sleeve to the spreading rod 75. The spreading rod 75 deformsto a suitable extent under load so that the load is distributed throughthe cords 70, 71, 72 preferably in a substantially even manner so thatwear on the sleeve and the cords is minimised by an even spread.

Throughout the specification, the aim has been to describe the preferredembodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any oneembodiment or specific collection of features. Those of skill in the artwill therefore appreciate that, in light of the instant disclosure,various modifications and changes can be made in the particularembodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. All such modifications and changes are intended to beincluded within the scope of the appendant claims.

1. A fabric for use in furniture, including outdoor furniture, thefabric formed, at least in part, from a synthetic material wherein thesynthetic material is woven or knitted to provide a stretchcharacteristic of from 5% to 50%.
 2. The fabric of claim 1, wherein thesynthetic material is warp knitted.
 3. The fabric of claim 2, whereinthe synthetic material is warp knitted in an interlocking weave patternadapted to provide the stretch characteristics.
 4. The fabric of claim1, wherein the synthetic material comprises one or more of nylon,polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene or a polyolefin material.
 5. Thefabric of claim 4, wherein the synthetic material is nylon.
 6. Thefabric of claim 2, wherein the fabric includes a component of cotton. 7.The fabric of claim 1, wherein the fabric has a first stretchcharacteristic in a first direction and a second greater stretchcharacteristic in a second direction which is substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction.
 8. The fabric of claim 7, whereinthe stretch characteristic in the first direction is 10% or less.
 9. Thefabric of claim 7, wherein the stretch characteristic in the seconddirection is from 10% to 50%.
 10. The fabric of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of ventilation holes.
 11. The fabric of claim 10,wherein the ventilation holes are distributed in a regular pattern. 12.The fabric of claim 10, wherein the ventilation holes are present in asufficient number to provide a ratio of material holes from 70%/30% to80%/20%.
 13. The fabric of claim 10, wherein the ventilation holes varyin diameter from 2 mm to 50 mm.
 14. The fabric of claim 13, wherein theventilation holes are around 5 mm in diameter.
 15. The fabric of claim10, wherein the ventilation holes are slit-like, rectangular orellipsoidal.
 16. A hammock or hammock chair including fabric of claim 1.17. The hammock or hammock chair of claim 16, wherein the fabric isarranged to have its first direction with a lesser stretchcharacteristic aligned, in use, approximately along the head to tailaxis of a user and its second direction with a greater stretchcharacteristic aligned transverse to the head to tail axis of a user.18. The hammock of claim 16, wherein the fabric has its first directionof a lesser stretch characteristic aligned along the length of thehammock and its second direction of a greater stretch characteristicaligned across the width of the hammock.
 19. The hammock or hammockchair of claim 16, further comprising printed visible indicia, theindicia including text and/or graphic elements.
 20. The hammock orhammock chair of claim 19, wherein the indicia are adapted to identifyownership of the hammock or hammock chair or to advertise productsand/or services.
 21. The hammock or hammock chair of claim 19, whereinthe indicia are personalized for an owner.
 22. The hammock or hammockchair of claim 16, further comprising a spreading rod formed as aflexible elongate member adapted to deform under load in a hammock orhammock chair while substantially assuming its undeformed configurationwhen not under load.
 23. The hammock or hammock chair of claim 22,wherein the spreading rod has a plurality of apertures dimensioned toreceive supporting cords.
 24. The hammock or hammock chair of claim 23,wherein the spreading rod is located in a sleeve in the hammock orhammock chair.
 25. The hammock or hammock chair of claim 22, wherein thespreading rod is formed integrally with or supported directly by a framesupport of the hammock or hammock chair.
 26. The hammock or hammockchair of claim 22, wherein the flexible elongate member is formed fromone or more of plastic, rubber, spring steel, wood or polyvinyl chloridetubing.
 27. The hammock or hammock chair of claim 22, wherein thespreading rod is formed from polyvinyl chloride plastic tube with adiameter of froml 0 mm to 30 mm.
 28. A spreading rod for a hammock orhammock chair formed as a flexible elongate member adapted to deformunder load and to assume its undeformed configuration when not underload.
 29. The spreading rod of claim 28 comprising a plurality of spacedapertures dimensioned to received supporting cords.
 30. The spreadingrod of claim 28 formed from one or more of plastic, rubber, springsteel, wood and polyvinyl chloride plastic tubing.
 31. The spreading rodof claim 30, wherein the spreading rod is formed from polyvinyl chlorideplastic tubing with a diameter of from 10 mm to 30 mm.
 32. A method offorming a hammock, the method with a diameter of from 10 mm to 30 mm.33. A method of forming a hammock, the method comprising the steps of :warp knitting a fabric from a synthetic material and having a lesserstretch characteristic in a first direction and a greater stretchcharacteristic in a second direction substantially perpendicular to thefirst direction; aligning the first direction along a length of thehammock and the second direction across the width of the hammock;forming a supporting body of the hammock with the fabric.
 34. The methodof claim 32, further comprising the step of forming the fabric with afirst stretch characteristic of 10% or less and a second stretchcharacteristic between 10% and 50%.
 35. The method of claim 32, furthercomprising the step of forming a plurality of ventilation apertures inthe fabric.
 36. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step offixing a flexible spreading rod at each end of the hammock.
 37. Themethod of claim 35, further comprising the step of fixing a plurality ofsupporting cords to each of the flexible spreading rods.
 38. The methodof claim 32, further comprising the step of printing visible indicia onthe surface of the fabric.
 39. A method of promoting a product or event,said method comprising the step of printing relevant material on ahammock or hammock chair of claim
 16. 40. A method of displaying aninterest or affiliation, the method comprising the step of printingrelevant indicia on a hammock or hammock chair of claim
 16. 41. A methodof identifying ownership of a hammock, the method comprising the step ofprinting identifying indicia on a hammock or hammock chair of claim 16.